Pegula eliminates Giorgi 6-2, 6-2 to reach US Open second round

Jessica Pegula, the #1 American and world #3 is seeded third at the season’s final slam. The twenty-nine-year-old Buffalo native won her second Masters 1000 title two weeks ago at the Canadian Open but still is in search of her first grand slam title with her best performance in the New York quarters last year (l. Swiatek).

Camila Giorgi is a formidable opponent. The thirty-one-year-old from Italy reached a career-high rank of #26 in 2018 but is currently #52. With four career titles including the 2021 Canadian Open and the 2023 Merida Open Akron, she is quite capable of knocking off a seed even with the crowd against her. Pegula led the head-to-head 6-1 including 4-1 on hardcourts.  

Giorgi won the toss and elected to serve. She faced double break point following two consecutive volley winners from Pegula and dumped serve when she netted a forehand. Pegula missed 6/8 first serves including a double fault and faced break point yet managed to consolidate the break for 2-0.

REUTERS/Mike Segar

Giorgi opened the third with an ace out wide and despite facing three deuce points, held for 1-2. Pegula missed 3/5 first serves including another double fault but with a fantastic crosscourt forehand, held to 15 for 3-1 while the Italian made 3/4 first serves and held at love with a brilliant backhand down the line. 

Pegula faced two deuce points but held for 4-2 with three winners including two aces while Giorgi gifted her first double fault and dropped serve when she missed wide with the backhand. The world #3 serving with new balls struck three winners including an ace up the tee and secured the set 6-2 with a love hold.

Giorgi served first in the second and despite three double faults, four deuce, and four break points, held with two aces and a spectacular backhand down the line. Pegula opened with two consecutive unforced errors but leveled with two consecutive winners including her fourth ace.

Giorgi pummeled another backhand down the line and held easily to 15 for 2-1 while Pegula hit her fifth ace and held at love for 2-2. The fifth game was a microcosm of the match; it showcased heavy hitting, all-court tennis from both including the longest rally of the match at 23 shots.

The Italian hit five winners including her fourth ace but with two additional double faults and a slew of errors, faced nine deuce and seven break points and lost serve when she missed wide with the backhand. 

Pegula maintained her focus and with her 6th ace, held easily to 15 for 4-2 while Giorgi faced break point and dumped serve following another errant forehand. Pegula hit two consecutive aces and with a stunning crosscourt forehand winner, secured her spot in the second round of her home slam.

It was a hard-hitting entertaining contest despite the scoreline. Pegula struck eight aces and won 89% of first and 56% of second serve points. She was equally impressive when returning winning 37% of first and 70% of second serve return points. While she converted just 4/15 break points, her winners-to-errors ratio was 28/13. 

In the following round, Pegula will play a tour veteran: Rebecca Merino of Canada or Patricia Maria Tig of Romania.